Southwest has three main cards, and the right choice depends on how often you fly and whether you want a premium experience
Southwest offers the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card. Each charges a different annual fee and offers different earning rates and perks. The Plus Card costs $69 per year, the Premier costs $99, and the Priority costs $159. Your choice should rest on two things: how many Southwest flights you take per year, and whether the higher-tier benefits (like priority boarding or free checked bags) save you money compared to what you'd pay without the card.
All three cards earn points on every purchase, which you can use for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, or other travel expenses. The earning rate and sign-up offer vary by card. The annual fee is not waived in the first year on any of them, so the math only works if you plan to use the card regularly or if the sign-up bonus covers the cost.
Key Takeaways
- The Plus Card ($69/year) is the entry point and makes sense if you take a few Southwest flights per year and want to build points without a high fee.
- The Premier Card ($99/year) adds a free checked bag benefit and higher earning on Southwest purchases, useful if you fly Southwest four or more times annually.
- The Priority Card ($159/year) includes priority boarding, a free checked bag, and the highest earning rates, but only pays for itself if you fly Southwest frequently or value the boarding perk.
- All three cards earn the same points on non-Southwest purchases, so the difference is in the annual perks and the bonus offer at sign-up.
- You can hold only one Southwest credit card at a time, so switching between them requires closing one first.
The Plus Card: Lowest cost, basic benefits
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card charges $69 per year and earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases, plus a higher rate on Southwest bookings and Southwest.com purchases. The main benefit is the sign-up bonus, which varies but typically offers 30,000 to 40,000 points after you spend a set amount in the first few months. At Southwest's redemption rates, that bonus alone can cover a round-trip domestic flight.
This card does not include a free checked bag or priority boarding. You pay the standard checked bag fee ($35 for the first bag on most routes) and board in the standard order. The card is useful if you fly Southwest occasionally—perhaps once or twice a year—and want to accumulate points without paying a high annual fee. The sign-up bonus is often enough to justify the first year, and if you use the card for everyday purchases, the points add up.
The Premier Card: The middle ground for regular flyers
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card costs $99 per year and includes a free first checked bag on every Southwest flight. It earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and Southwest.com, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. For a family or someone who checks a bag regularly, the free checked bag benefit alone can be worth $70 to $140 per year, depending on how many trips you take.
The Premier Card is the most popular choice for people who fly Southwest three to five times per year. The higher earning rate on Southwest purchases means you accumulate points faster toward your next flight. The card also comes with a companion pass offer in some promotions, though this varies by the current offer. Like the Plus Card, it does not include priority boarding, so you board in the standard order.
The Priority Card: Premium perks for frequent flyers
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card costs $159 per year and includes priority boarding (A1-A15), a free first checked bag, and 2 points per dollar on all purchases (not just Southwest). It also includes a $75 Southwest travel credit each year, which offsets part of the annual fee. The card earns 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and Southwest.com.
Priority boarding matters most if you travel with a carry-on and a personal item and want to avoid the overhead bin lottery, or if you want to sit in an exit row or toward the front of the cabin. The $75 annual travel credit can be used for flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees, so the net annual cost is closer to $84 after the credit. This card makes financial sense if you fly Southwest six or more times per year, or if you value priority boarding enough to pay for the privilege.
How the sign-up bonuses compare
Each card offers a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending requirement, usually $2,000 to $3,000 in the first three months. The bonus varies by card and changes periodically. The Plus Card typically offers 30,000 to 40,000 points, the Premier offers 40,000 to 50,000 points, and the Priority offers 50,000 to 75,000 points. At current Southwest redemption rates, 25,000 points is roughly equivalent to a domestic round-trip flight.
The sign-up bonus is the largest earning opportunity on any of these cards. If you can meet the spending requirement through normal purchases or by timing a large expense, the bonus often covers the annual fee for the first year and then some. However, you should only open a card if you plan to use it regularly after the bonus period ends, because the annual fee will explore every year you hold the card.
Earning rates on everyday purchases
The Plus and Premier Cards earn 1 point per dollar on non-Southwest purchases. The Priority Card earns 2 points per dollar on all purchases, which is a meaningful difference if you use the card for groceries, gas, and other everyday spending. Over a year, if you spend $20,000 on the Priority Card versus the Plus Card, you earn 40,000 extra points—enough for a flight—but you also pay an extra $90 in annual fees ($159 minus $69). The math works in the Priority Card's favor only if you value the extra points and the other perks enough to justify the cost.
None of the Southwest cards offer bonus categories like 5% back on groceries or 3% back on dining. They are straightforward cards: higher earning on Southwest, flat earning everywhere else. If you want bonus categories, you would need a different airline card or a general rewards card.
When to switch cards or hold multiple cards
Southwest's rules allow you to hold only one Southwest credit card at a time. If you want to switch from the Plus Card to the Premier Card, you must close the Plus Card first. Some people switch cards to capture the sign-up bonus again, but you can only earn a new-cardholder bonus once per card per year (the exact rules vary, so check with Southwest before explore).
If you are considering switching, close the old card after you have earned the sign-up bonus and met any minimum spending requirements. Wait at least 30 days before explore for the new card to avoid triggering fraud detection. Your existing Rapid Rewards points stay in your account regardless of which card you hold, so switching does not cost you points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card to earn the free checked bag benefit?
Yes. The free checked bag is a cardholder benefit, so you must present the card at check-in. If you check a bag without the card, you pay the standard fee. The benefit applies to the primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation.
Can I use these cards for flights booked with points?
No. Points-based bookings do not earn additional points. You earn points only on cash purchases. However, you can use the card to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other add-ons even if the flight itself was booked with points.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your Rapid Rewards points remain in your account. Closing the card does not erase your balance. However, if you do not have any Southwest activity (flights, card purchases, or points transfers) for 24 months, Southwest may close your account and forfeit your points.
Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly Southwest once a year?
Probably not, unless the sign-up bonus is large enough to cover multiple years of fees. If you fly once per year and do not check a bag, the Plus Card's $69 fee is hard to justify. Consider whether you would use the card for everyday purchases to earn points toward a second flight.
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I already have a Southwest card?
You can earn a new-cardholder bonus only once per card per calendar year. If you closed a Southwest card and want to reopen it, you typically must wait at least 12 months before you are may be able to access for the bonus again. Check Southwest's current rules before explore.